iHealthBulletin.com - A single 60-minute session of Yang style Tai Chi exercise led to a beneficial increase in serum adiponectin level in older adults, according to clinical researchers in Chiayi, Taiwan. The results of their study were published online August 2010 as an original article in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.
Adiponectin is a protein (peptide hormone) produced by fat cells that has anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. A study published in JAMA in July 2009 confirmed that higher adiponectin levels were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Other studies have shown the adiponectin level to be correlated with higher HDL cholesterol, lower percent body fat, and favorable profiles of inflammatory markers indicating better endothelial function.
Tai chi is a form of traditional Chinese martial arts often practiced for general health purposes, and is gaining increasing popularity in North America and Australia. The authors of this study say that it can be “classified as moderate-intensity endurance exercise.”
In this study, the 26 participants were older adults (mean age of 60 years) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, and who had practiced Yang’s style Tai Chi for at least three months, but on average had practiced at least 2 years (and thus were familiar with the exercise). The study design used the single group for both the exercise session and the control (resting while seated) session, with a one-week washout period between sessions. The exercise session was a 60 minute Yang’s style Tai Chi session carried out under the supervision of a professional Tai Chi instructor. Blood levels were drawn after 30 minutes of rest following exercise completion.
The difference in adiponectin levels before and after the single bout of Tai Chi was a gain of 0.58 ± 1.42 micrograms/ml, and in the seated resting session was -0.46 ± 0.99 micrograms/ml. The differences in adiponectin between the two trials was statistically significant (P = 0.004).
In their discussion, the authors propose that perhaps the increase in adiponectin following Tai Chi is due to a decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity (and/or enhanced vagal modulation). Animal studies have indicated that the sympathetic nervous system may contribute to the regulation of adiponectin production and thus also the blood levels of adiponectin.
While the authors recognize certain limitations in their study design, the study did find a significant increase in adiponectin level following a single bout of Yang style Tai Chi. As Tai Chi is an increasingly popular and relatively safe form of exercise for older adults, with multiple potential health benefits beyond adiponectin enhancement, this study can serve as further encouragement for aging populations to become physically active and avoid succumbing to a sedentary lifestyle - Dr Zebrun.
Source: Rei-Yeuh Chang, et al. Effects of Tai Chi on adiponectin and glucose homeostasis in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. European Journal of Applied Physiology. DOI 10.1007/s00421-010-1628-y
Read other stories from iHealthBulletin News on natural lifestyle changes that might increase adiponectin levels:
iHealthBulletin.com - A single 60-minute session of Yang style Tai Chi exercise led to a beneficial increase in serum adiponectin level in older adults, according to clinical researchers in Chiayi, Taiwan. The results of their study were published online August 2010 as an original article in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.
Adiponectin is a protein (peptide hormone) produced by fat cells that has anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. A study published in JAMA in July 2009 confirmed that higher adiponectin levels were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Other studies have shown the adiponectin level to be correlated with higher HDL cholesterol, lower percent body fat, and favorable profiles of inflammatory markers indicating better endothelial function.
Tai chi is a form of traditional Chinese martial arts often practiced for general health purposes, and is gaining increasing popularity in North America and Australia. The authors of this study say that it can be “classified as moderate-intensity endurance exercise.”
In this study, the 26 participants were older adults (mean age of 60 years) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, and who had practiced Yang’s style Tai Chi for at least three months, but on average had practiced at least 2 years (and thus were familiar with the exercise). The study design used the single group for both the exercise session and the control (resting while seated) session, with a one-week washout period between sessions. The exercise session was a 60 minute Yang’s style Tai Chi session carried out under the supervision of a professional Tai Chi instructor. Blood levels were drawn after 30 minutes of rest following exercise completion.
The difference in adiponectin levels before and after the single bout of Tai Chi was a gain of 0.58 ± 1.42 micrograms/ml, and in the seated resting session was -0.46 ± 0.99 micrograms/ml. The differences in adiponectin between the two trials was statistically significant (P = 0.004).
In their discussion, the authors propose that perhaps the increase in adiponectin following Tai Chi is due to a decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity (and/or enhanced vagal modulation). Animal studies have indicated that the sympathetic nervous system may contribute to the regulation of adiponectin production and thus also the blood levels of adiponectin.
While the authors recognize certain limitations in their study design, the study did find a significant increase in adiponectin level following a single bout of Yang style Tai Chi. As Tai Chi is an increasingly popular and relatively safe form of exercise for older adults, with multiple potential health benefits beyond adiponectin enhancement, this study can serve as further encouragement for aging populations to become physically active and avoid succumbing to a sedentary lifestyle - Dr Zebrun.
Source: Rei-Yeuh Chang, et al. Effects of Tai Chi on adiponectin and glucose homeostasis in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. European Journal of Applied Physiology. DOI 10.1007/s00421-010-1628-y
Read other stories from iHealthBulletin News on natural lifestyle changes that might increase adiponectin levels: